Why we recycling coffee by-products
Q Roasters are passionate about coffee that is good for people and planet which is why we source and roast green bean that is Rainforest Alliance approved, Fair Trade or organic. True to our 'sustainable espresso' ethos we also pay attention to what happens to the by-products of enjoying a great cup of coffee - primarily the hessian bags and used coffee grounds.
What we do with our coffee bags
Coffee bags are made from hessian; a coarsely woven material made from jute. Being plant based it is entirely bio-degradable and keen gardeners use it as an eco-friendly mulch to control weeds.
Our Q Roasters Coffee community are a crafty bunch and they have upcycled our coffee bags into lampshades, hard-wearing footstools, tote bags or even dog beds.
What we do with used coffee grounds
At the end of a busy day serving coffee our bins are full of 'biscuits' of used coffee grounds from our espresso. You may think that having been through the roasting and then extraction process that used grounds are worth nothing. In fact they are high in nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and chromium. One of our regulars uses our grounds to enrich the soil in his vegetable garden, boost his compost and attract worms.
Other uses include:
- Keep bowls of coffee grounds in an outdoor area to repel pests like mosquitoes.
- Neutralise odours in your fridge or cupboard
- Use it as a natural dye
- Exfoliate your skin when you mix it with coconut oil or water.
How to source coffee bags and used grounds
If you have a community project or idea that would benefit from our coffee bags or used grounds then drop-in to Q Roasters at 44 Wolverhampton St, Stafford, Brisbane. We would love to support you.